Young dancers to star in UK festival

Four youth dance companies under the umbrella of Derby-based regional dance house Déda have earned coveted places in the National Youth Dance Festival – U.Dance 14 to be held next month in Nottingham.

Derbyshire Youth Dance Company, based at the Winding Wheel Theatre in Chesterfield and South Asian youth dance company Javvani, based at Déda, will both be part of the festival’s national competitions.

Meanwhile Déda’s Liquid male dance group and youth performance academy Bounceback have been invited to perform at the festival in recognition of the high standard of their work.

Déda’s Head of Dance Development and Learning Clare Limb said: “We are delighted with the success of our youth dance companies who will now be performing at the prestigious National Youth Dance Festival.

“I am particularly pleased that the groups show the diversity of the work that we do alongside our partners in the city and county and the breadth of opportunities that are available for young dancers in this area.

“All three groups have very different styles and membership.

“Derbyshire Youth Dance Company and Bounceback are both auditioned group for young people looking for a platform to progress their careers as professional dancers.

“Javvani has members aged 13 and above and specialise in traditional and contemporary South Asian dance.

“And Liquid is our all male group who take their inspiration from a range of contemporary dance styles from breaking to urban.

“We have a good track record at national level with Bounceback winning the competition two years ago and I hope that Derbyshire Youth Dance Company and Javvani will gain equal recognition this year.”